Cooking up a storm at the Australian Culinary Challenge

25 Sep 2018

Melbourne Polytechnic students have taken home a number of awards at the 2018 Australian Culinary challenge. The prestigious culinary competiton was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre earlier this month.

Jakeb Jesser has won the Best Apprentice in the State award at the Australian Culinary Challenge. The 27-year-old is a second year apprentice studying for his Cert III in Commercial cookery. Jakeb Jesser was awarded Best 2nd year apprentice, as well as taking home the award for Best Apprentice in the State. He will go on to represent Victoria at the National competition in Canberra in October, where he will compete against apprentices from across Australia. Jakeb recently met the Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews during a visit to the Melbourne Polytechnic Collingwood campus.

On winning the award, Jakeb Jesser said “It’s been a bit overwhelming to be honest! I started working at a café as a barista and ended up working in the kitchen when we were short staffed. My manager encouraged me to start an apprenticeship and pursue a career as a chef. Competing was great and I’m looking forward to the national competition later in the year.”

Gary Paterson, Manager of Hospitality at Melbourne Polytechnic, said “We are incredibly proud of Jakeb Jesser for winning such a highly recognised award. He’s worked incredibly hard to reach such a high standard and we wish him the best of luck at Nationals.”

Jakeb Jesser was one 13 Melbourne Polytechnic students to enter the competition. The students took home gold, silver and bronze medals across the competition. St George’s training restaurant at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston campus scooped the Best Establishment award at this year’s awards ceremony. Previous winners of the award have included Melbourne favourites Vue de Monde and Scott Pickett’s Estelle.